Ferrule for umbrellas and the like



Feb. 21, 1939. R DE MATM 2,148,060

FERRULE FOR UMBRELLAS AND THE LTKE Filed April 27, 1938 Patented Feb. 21, 1939 PATENT OFFICE 2,148,060 FERRULE FOR UMBRELLAS AND THE LIKE Peter De Mattia, Clifton, N. J.,

Musser i Company, Incorporated, Pa., a corporation of Delaware assignor toH. M. Lancaster,

Application April 27, 1938, Serial No. 204,677 1 Clalm (Cl. 135-54) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in ferrules and more particularly to a ferrule adopted for use in connection with an umbrella shaft.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a ferrule adapted for application to shafts of.

various sizes.

A further object of the invention resides inthe provision of a ferrule which will not only be adapted for shafts of various sizes, but which will be ornamental ineffech'when applied and which will simultaneously form aleak-proof connection at the outer end of the shaft or top of the umbrella.

A still further object resides in the provision of a ferrule adapted to bemolded from plastic or other material and which will be simple and durable in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and one which will be very useful and ornamental when applied to the umbrella.

With these and numerous other objects in view; my invention consists of the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter referred to and more particularly pointed out in the specification and claim. In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an umbrella in closed position with my improved ferrule applied to the shaft thereof; 7

Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the ferrule with a fragment of the umbrella disclosed in connection therewith;

Figure 3 is a vertical section through the ferrule as seen on the lines 3--3- of Figure 4; a

Figure 4 is a. horizontal section through the ferrule as seen on line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a horizontal section as seen on the line 55 of Figure 3; and

Figure 6 is a side elevation partly in section showing my improved ferrule about to be applied to the umbrella shaft.

Referring to the drawing in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral 1 designates the stick or shaft of an umbrella, the shaft being formed of wood, which is the usual material of which such shafts are made in the manufacture of various fancy parasols and umbrellas today, and applied thereto in the usual manner is the cover 2 formed of cotton, silk, oiled silk or any other material or fabric.

Adapted to be applied to the outer ortop end of the stick or shaft l is my improved ferrule I. This ferrule is formed preferably of plastic material 7 molded into shape, although it may be made of any other desired material. The same is domeshaped to form a crown portion thereon and extending inwardly from the top portion thereof is I an integral prong member 4 which is adapted to be received in the extreme end of the stick or shaft I, as clearly shown in FigureB of the drawing. The annular shoulder formed within the dome-shaped ferrule is adapted to abutthe ex- 10 treme outer end of the shaft I, as shown in Figure 3: Also provided onthe inner wall of the ferrule are the spaced-apart vertical ribs or ridges 5 which, when the ferrule is driven home on the end of the shaft"; will bite into the shaft and secure the ferrule thereon against rotation. The lower or outer edges of the ribs 5 are rounded and tapered as shown at 6, so as to fit readily over the outer end of the stick or shaft when the ferrule is applied. Thus. it will be seen that the ferrule 20.

may be applied to sticks or shafts of different diameters.

In applying my improved ferrule to use on the umbrella, I prefer to use a circular disc-like piece of fabric 9 which is applied over the stick and over the ring member III which is the usual ring member providing a pivotal support for the ribs and my improved ferrule is provided with meansfor retaining this piece of fabric 9 in place. The lower or outer end portion of the ferrule 3 is directed somewhat outwardly as shown at I, and terminates in the downwardly extending skirt portion 8 which, when the ferrule is applied to use, will fit over the ring member l0 and retain the disc-like fabric piece ,9 in position over said ring member, as shown in Figure 3 of the drawing. Thus, the ferrule not only performs the function of ornamentally adorning the end of the shaft but also performs the function of providing a leakproof connection at the top of the umbrella where the fabric is engaged with the ribs and the shaft.

The particular type of ferrule provided herein is capable of being made of various materials and in various colors to match or blend with various colors of fabrics which may be used on the parasols or umbrellas. The ferrule is capable of being driven home on the end of a shaft so 'as to beretained in position against casual removal or displacement. However, it will be seen that the construction is such that the ferrule may be removed and replaced with others, as, if and when desired. Thus, ferrules may be substituted to match the handlesof umbrellas whenever desired. Furthermore, this ferrule, al-

though described for use at the outer end of the shaft, is capable of being applied to the opposite end of the shaft as a handle, if desired. In other words, the construction of the ferrule may be applied to a handle whenever desired by the manufacturer.

From the foregoing description of the con-' struction of my improved ferrule, the manner of applying the same to use will be readily understood and it will be seen that I have provided a simple, inexpensive and efficient means for carrying out the objects of the invention.

While I have particularly described the ele ments best adapted to perform the functions set forth, it is obvious that various changes in form, proportion and in the minor details of construction may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the principles of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:-

A ferrule for umbrella shafts comprising a. dome-shaped body open at one end, a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs formed on the inner peripheral wall of said body and an inwardly projecting tapered prong extending from the inner face of the outer end of said body towards the open end thereof and adapted to be embedded in the end of an umbrella shaft, and spread the wood of the shaft into the ribs.

PETER. DE 'MA'I'IIA. 

